It hadn't exactly been a restful night for Sheelagh. Threats and close situations were a regular occurrence in the job but it was always the incidents which could have been avoided that preyed on her mind. The trouble was that part of her couldn't be angry at Gabriel for his role.

So on the way to work on Wednesday morning she still found herself pondering the situation with the Levisons and wondering if she could have done better.

'Sheelagh!' Gabriel jogged up behind her as she walked towards the station entrance. He looked like he'd been running for quite a while. 'I've been calling you for ten minutes.'

'Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about things.'

'It's fine,' he answered. 'I could do with the exercise. Look, I wanted to apologise if I put you in a dangerous situation yesterday.'

'You didn't,' she found herself saying. 'I managed to do that all by myself.'

'I still feel I should apologise. By way of a drink perhaps?'

'Sure. Why not?'

Mid-morning and she was still completing the paperwork for the previous day's arrests. It was unbelievable! Though, Sam reasoned for the tenth time that hour, if it helped secure more convictions it was worth it in the long run.

It hadn't helped that Phil had been sitting opposite her for the last few hours bringing back thoughts of her evening with him. They'd only had a drink (though of course Phil had wanted more) but it had been pleasant. Perhaps there was a path for them.

Angry footsteps and door swinging behind her prompted her to turn only to come face to face with Gabriel Kent. To combat the sense of smallness she was feeling with him towering over her, she stood. 'Gabriel.'

'I've just been hauled over the coals by Inspector Gold. Something to do with my handling of the Levison situation yesterday. I've got you to thank, haven't I?'

'Excuse me, PC Kent, are you forgetting who you're talking to?'

He leaned in closer. 'Not at all, Sarge. I just wanna know how come you dropped me in it? I mean you weren't there.'

Glancing to her right Sam found the altercation had attracted Phil's attention. The last thing she wanted was him wading in to her rescue again. 'It was thought your judgement yesterday could have been better.'

'By who?' It clicked. 'Sheelagh, right?'

'I thought you handled the situation badly, Gabriel. If you don't mind, I'm up to my eyes in paperwork.'

Once he'd left Sam sat back down heavily. For some reason she felt guilty for putting Sheelagh in Gabriel's firing line. Well, it wasn't as if he could do anything about her comments was it?

'At least you're proving my point.'

'Lance, it's just a drink.'

'That's what they all say.'

Not answering, she fingered her empty coffee carton for a minute until footsteps approached the table.

It was Gabriel, with two cups of coffee. Hesitantly, he placed one in front of her. 'I noticed you were out.'

Lance cleared his throat. 'I better be going.'

Sheelagh smiled at his sensitivity. Once he'd left Gabriel took the empty seat glancing around the canteen to make sure no one was near.

'Is something wrong?' Sheelagh questioned.

'No, no. I just don't want anyone to hear that's all.'

'Top secret, is it?'

He smiled. 'In a way. You see, drinks tonight. I was thinking and it isn't enough, is it?'

That was intriguing. 'Really?'

'No, I wanna take you out to dinner. If you'd do me the pleasure, of course.'

'Gabriel, I'd be delighted.'

Later that afternoon, having just finished an interview, Sam was walking back up to CID when she bumped into Sheelagh Murphy coming down the stairs. 'Oh, hi. Is everything alright?'

She looked puzzled. 'Why wouldn't it be?'

Well, no need to draw her attention to a bit of harmless banter between her and Gabriel Kent. 'No reason.'

'Right.' Sheelagh paused. 'I forgot to ask yesterday, how's Abigail doing?'

'Driving me mad actually,' Sam smiled. 'But it's great having her home.'

'I bet it is. Is she nervous about the baby?'

'A little. I don't suppose it'll hit her until the birth.'

'Listen, I've got a book she might like to look at. Help her prepare perhaps.'

'Sheelagh, that'd be great. To be honest, I can't remember a thing about my pregnancy. I think I blotted it all out.'

'I know that feeling,' Sheelagh laughed. 'I'll drop it round sometime.'

'I appreciate it.'

Phil had pestered her to go for another drink that night but she hadn't accepted. Apart from not wanting to appear too keen she just fancied a night in with a good book. Abi was having dinner with some old friends so that left the house quiet for once.

As she left the station she saw Sheelagh, evidently waiting for someone. After a moment Gabriel appeared offering his arm along with a bunch of flowers. They walked off together leaving Sam thoughtfully contemplating Gabriel's motives and just what Sheelagh was getting herself into.